Working in Switzerland after graduation

[kkatuha]

Hi Lina,

If you could find out more about working in Switzerland with a US diploma, I would truly appreciate it. I am actually going to Zurich to visit a friend of mine on March 13th and will try to investigate more on this issue. But any help would be appreciated!

You said Switzerland has recently changed their degree option to Bachelor's and Master's level, that is interesting. What has it been before? And what degree plan are you currently pursuing?

As to studying in US, I could definitely research several PT schools for you in CA and get back to you on that. I am studying the Master's program in PT at the University of Oklahoma. Our university has actually transitioned the Master's level to the Doctorate level this year so after I attain my Master's, I am planning on taking a transitional Doctorate level program, which takes about a year to complete after you get your Master's. Most universities in US have transitioned to entry level DPT (doctor of physical therapy program). Since APTA has introduced VISION 2020 (American Physical Therapy Association), they have a goal of having every university in US to transition to DPT by 2020. I wonder how DPT would be accepted in Switzerland...??

Overall, I think PT programs in US are very good with an extensive curriculum. Let me know what degree you whether you are wanting to start an entry level program in US or finish master's PT degree in Switzerland and come to us for your Doctorate. I know several PTs from around the US who could give more feedback with international students.

I will let u know as soon as I find smth out.
Thank you for your post!

Kateryna

[Lina]

Hi Kateryna

Thanks for your quick answer! I would really appreciate if you could research some PT schools in CA. It's so difficult to find good information on the internet.

I'm pursuing the Bachalor's plan right now.
Before Switzerland changed to Bachalor's and Master's in Switzerland the PT education was connected to a hospital and was not at a university. After 4 years school and practice you got a PTdiploma. Actually, the curriculum no in the Bachalor's is almost the same as before. The only different is that we have some sientific education now. The Master's doesn't exist yet, but they are working on it. The Master's will be a deeper education in scientific research, I think. DPT doesn't exist in Switzerland at all. Because of that, I'm not sure what kind of work you could do then in Switzerland. It's allready now a discussion on what the different should be between a PT with a bachalor degree and one with a Master's out in worklife. As you see the situation in Switzerland isn't that clear at the Moment.

What kind of work would you like to do in switzerland? Would you like to work in a hospital? Or would you prefere to work in science? May be it could be a oportunity for you to work at one of the to PTschools in Switzerland and so beeing able to get more working contacts.

There is one school in Winterthur (close to Zurich) and one in Bern. I'm at the one in Winterthur. Here its name and homepage. (Do you speak any german?)

ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften
www. zhaw.ch

As it doesn't exist any Master's in PT in Switzerland, I would like to do a Master's in US.

Do you also work at hospitals during your education in the US? Could you tell me more about your curriculum? Maybe that would help to find out if its possible to work in switzerland with a USdiploma.

I will get back to you as soon as I know more.
Lina

[kkatuha]

In US, Master's in Physical Therapy is transitioning to the Doctorate level and by 2020 every university will be switched to DPT. With the DPT curriculum, one must have a Bachelor's degree in order to apply to the Program. After that, it's 3 years worth of DPT curriculum, making the entire Physical Therapy Program 7 years long. With the DPT, depending on the university, but in general you would have 9 semesters (fall, spring, summer x 3 years) worth of classes with internships starting after the first 3 semesters. Usually programs offer 4 internships, first one 4 weeks, the next three 6 to 8 weeks long. But you would have to go on the particular school website to find out more about that particular program. I am studying at the University of Oklahoma so I could tell you all about that if you are interested.